I arrived at Munchkin’s house yesterday just in time to take her to school. Not just any school: kindergarten. She started last week. She loves it, of course. I’m sure she’s the smartest in her class. She’s definitely the cutest. That’s for certain. I digress.
We got her gathered up, dropped off JD at preschool and drove on to her elementary school. After she got out of the vehicle, she grabbed her Mommy’s hand. And then she grabbed my hand. I then walked her up the sidewalk and into her school, holding her hand; her mom on one side and me on the other. As we went to leave, she gave M (her stepdad as of tomorrow) a hug and a kiss. And then her mom a hug and a kiss. And then she gave me a hug and a kiss. Unprompted. Unrequested. Just a normal flow of hugs and kisses.
I have no words for how this made me feel.
I do wonder, however, what, if anything, the teacher thought. Who was I? Why did Munchkin’s eyes look like mine? I’d have questions if I was the teacher; it’s only natural. While the “traditional” family is rare anymore, human nature is to wonder and mentally, if not out loud, ask questions. I just wonder what she thought.
I am so blessed. I have received hugs. And kisses. And had moments alone. Right now? I’m watching my daughter and her brother while her mom and her stepdad (as of tomorrow) are out to dinner. I have been left, alone, in a house with the daughter I placed for adoption. This has happened before, of course, as I have never presented a threat in any way. I have been entrusted with bedtime routine. I have the joy of reading stories and cuddling. I wish I could do it more often.
I so love our visits. I wish this one didn’t have to end. But I do miss my boys.
My name is Jenna. I blog here, 
It is so great that you can be with her at these milestone moments (kindergarden, her mom’s wedding). You are apart of her life and that means so much to her, she probably doesn’t realize that just yet, but someday she’ll look back at all the visits and feel so loved.
Just tonight we shared a letter from Mita and Enu’s Ethiopian father. He sent new pictures and the girls were so happy that he remembers them and writes. They started talking about memories and clothes they had, memories they had not shared before. They don’t always understand this whole “adoption thing”, but they know they are loved by two sets of parents and that we are all a family, maybe not the traditional kind, but a family.
Open adoption isn’t easy, but you are doing the right thing with working on it and keeping the relationship going.
She is so beautiful and I’m sure she is the smartest in the class!
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What a wonderful sounding day!
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Twitter: Upstatemamma
says:
How wonderful to share that moment!! I know at two weeks into the year everyday still feels like a milestone.
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I’m so happy you’re sharing this special time, and being a part of these moments with Munchkin. Certainly much has changed in her life the last year, and your being there right now, while another change occurs, is a wonderful testament to her that while life changes, while life throws unexpected curveballs, you, as her first mother, are there. Always. It’s really so amazing. I’m so proud of you, and so happy for you. (And on a totally selfish note, I hope there are pictures!)
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When Mallory was in first grade we were in Barnes and Noble with Noelle and Noelle’s parents when we bumped into Mallory’s teacher. The teacher said “Mallory, you look so much alike, is this your aunt?” And Mallory laughed like that was the silliest thing ever and said “No, this is my birth mom and my grandparents.”
We then made it a point of taking Noelle in to introduce her to every teacher Mallory had through the 8th grade. She moved to Nashville then.
When she comes to Mallory’s graduation next May, I’m sure we will introduce her to a ton of teachers.
Congratulations on this happy place Jenna.
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So glad to hear that progress. It must make your heart smile.
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That’s awesome Jenna. And in response to the comments on that other thread….THIS is why you don’t walk away. I hope you had a great time. God bless.
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I know the whole “it’s their story to tell” thing, but we did discuss with Jakob’s pre-school teacher that he is adopted and that we have an open adoption with his birthmom and her name is Kaiti–just in case he talks about her in school. We wanted to let her know that it is okay to talk about her and who she is and how important she is in our lives. Her teacher probably knew exactly who you were and could feel every ounce of love in everyone’s hearts! :0)
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